Three Ex-Phillies Named Kevin Join Phillies Broadcast Team

Phillies broadcaster Larry Andersen decided heading into this past offseason that he would scale back his broadcast duties for the Phillies.  Andersen then neogotiated his next contract to have a schedule that kept Andersen broadcasting home games.  To fill the void, the Phillies turned to three former middle-infielders: shortstop Kevin Stocker and utility players Kevin Jordan and Kevin Frandsen.

Stocker was reportedly under consideration for the Phillies television job in 2014.  Stocker has broadcast experience covering college baseball for CBS Sports and filled in for Andersen in the past.  Stocker also owns an Emerald City smoothie franchise in Washington.

Frandsen has also been working in the media since his retirement from baseball.  In 2016, Frandsen was named as part of the morning show of San Francisco's KNBR Sports Radio station.  The station's new management moved him to evenings last year to make room for ESPN's "Mike and Mike" (now Golic and Wingo)  Frandsen said on Twitter that he will continue his evening show with Drew Hoffar on KNBR when not serving as an analyst for Phillies games.

Jordan is coming from a little different background.  A native of Australia, Jordan had has experience managing in the Australian baseball league for the Brisbane Bandits, now managed by former MLB catcher Dave Nilsson.  Jordan also coached in the Phillies system for six years after retiring before heading to Australia, where he mostly lives.  Jordan, too, got time as a fill-in for Andersen in the past.

Andersen told NBC Sports Philadelphia last season that the reason was he simply wanted a break.

"As much as I love the game, I love the Phillies, I love being out here at the park, I want to be able to do some things in the summer with my wife [and] with my kids out west", Andersen told Philly Sports Talk host Michael Barkann.   Andersen also said that "I just felt like it was the time" and in his usual comic fashion: "I felt myself getting grumpier on the road".

Andersen pointed out that he is turning 65 next May and that for 48 years of his life he has been working throughout the Summer season.

The play by play will continue to be called predominantly by Scott Franzke, with Jim Jackson calling two innings a game and hosting pre- and postgame shows.